Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer admits cocaine theft

The Ocean County Sheriff's Officer who owned up to taking cocaine meant for K-9 training can expect to spend two to three years in prison, at his scheduled April sentencing.

John C. Adams (Townsquare Media)

On November 30, John C. Adams of Toms River pleaded guilty to second-degree charges of official misconduct and theft, according to the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato. He is free on bail until sentencing.

His plea agreement requires Adams to forfeit his position, renders him ineligible for government employment in New Jersey, and mandates two years behind bars, with a maximum of three.

Adams, a Marine veteran and a 16-year member of the Sheriff's Department, commanded the canine unit at the time of the investigation, which began in January of this year, concerning discrepancies that dated back to mid-2015.

Investigators alleged that Adams failed to secure the narcotics used to train the dogs for detection purposes.

According to authorities, Adams first reported that the cocaine was discarded with other training items. Subsequently, Adams attempted to shift blame to other members of the unit, investigators said, and had diverted more than one kilogram.They determined that Adams fed his habit with the drugs.

Getty Images/Fuse

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department supported and assisted in the investigation, which also included the Federal Bureaus of Investigation and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Sheriff Mike Mastronardy did not respond to a request for comment today, but at the time of Adams's arrest, he termed it an "aberration" of one officer.